HART breaks ground on new facility

The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Daniel and Belle Fangmeyer Theater on the grounds of the Performing Arts Center at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, in Waynesville.

Since kicking off a $1 million dollar capital fund drive in July 2012, HART has raised more than $640,000 toward the construction of a new second stage, which will allow them to nearly double their performance schedule by the 2015 season. The new theater building will provide rehearsal space so cast can start working on an upcoming show while another one is still running on the main stage.

The second theater building will be a medium-sized venue, smaller than HART’s main stage but bigger than the small studio theater.

Architects Joe Sam Queen and Sarah Queen have designed a facility, which will provide for unique productions in an ever-changing setting, but continue the physical style of the current theater facility.